Unlike laptops, mobile devices do not have field-serviceable parts. Mobile devices consist of several compact components integrated into a single unit. When a mobile device malfunctions, it is usually sent to the manufacturer for repair or replacement. If the device is still under warranty, it can often be returned to the place of purchase for an exchange.
Broken mobile devices must often be returned to the manufacturer for repair or replacement. There are parts and instructions available from many websites to repair mobile devices, including touchscreens, front or back glass, and batteries. Installing parts from sources other than the manufacturer voids the manufacturer’s warranty and might harm the device. For example, a battery for an iPhone, as shown in Figure 1, should not be replaced with a battery that does not come from Apple. If a replacement battery is installed that does not meet the exact electrical specification for the phone, the phone could short out or overload, becoming unusable.
There are no field-serviceable parts for mobile devices, but there are a few mobile device parts that are field-replaceable:
- Battery - Some mobile device batteries can be replaced, as shown in Figure 2.
- Memory card - Many mobile devices use memory cards to add storage, as shown in Figure 3.
- Subscriber Identity Module (SIM) card - This small card contains information used to authenticate a device to mobile telephone and data services, as shown in Figure 4. SIM cards can also hold user data such as contacts and text messages.